Montgomery County Police Department is announcing big news once more, this time it's the appointment of a new leader within the ranks—Captain David McBain has officially been confirmed by the Montgomery County Council as the new Assistant Chief of the Field Services Bureau, a critical division tasked with the frontline operations and community engagement, according to a recent Montgomery County press release.
Assistant Chief McBain isn’t new to the Montgomery County Police landscape, his tenure spanning 31 years—a commitment underlined by steady ascension in duty where he has served as Deputy Director of both the Traffic Division and the Special Investigations Division, and by January 2020 took helm as Director of the Traffic Division, before stepping into the role of Commander of the 3rd District in March 2021, with priority initiatives that ranged from launching the Downtown Silver Spring Task Force to magnifying support for the unhoused through the appointment of a Crisis Intervention Officer.
This veteran of the force holds a Bachelor of Science degree in criminology from the University of Maryland University College, along with an Associate’s degree in criminal justice from Montgomery College. Coming from a law enforcement family—his father a retired Montgomery County Police Corporal—and being a Montgomery County native himself, McBain has a personal stake in the welfare and betterment of the local community, a fact that is highlighted by his dedication to organizing events aimed at strengthening police-community relations.
Since July 2024, Assistant Chief McBain has been serving as the acting Assistant Chief, right after Chief Marc Yamada stepped up as Chief of Police, demonstrating his capability and readiness to take on the permanent role, this tenure was filled with the employment of technology in crime fighting, like cameras and automated systems—and orchestrating community events that aimed at bridging the gap between the force and the inhabitants it is sworn to protect.
The new role sees McBain at the forefront of the Field Services Bureau, an assignment that he takes over with an extensive background in law enforcement, a proven track record of dedication to public safety, and a personal investment in cultivating trust within Montgomery County. His decades of service and strategic positions within the department underscore his suitability as the person to lead the Field Services Bureau at a time when community-oriented policing and innovation are more crucial than ever.
